Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

”Yun Xiao, are you alright?”

The Sect Master of the Jade Pot Sect, Yu Shu, hurried into the hall and strode directly into Yun Xiao’s room. His voice reached ahead of him, but by the time his words faded, he saw a slender young man standing effortlessly with not a trace of disorder in his aura.

”You’re completely unharmed?”

Seeing this, Yu Shu could not help expressing a profoundly perplexed look on his face, because this was entirely beyond his expectations. In his view, the fleeing man in black was certainly no less powerful than someone in the Spirit Vein Realm, and under such a strong cultivator’s hand, how could Yun Xiao be entirely without injury?

”Heh, by the sound of it, Teacher, you seem to wish that something had happened to me?”

At this moment, the Golden Snake Worm had already returned inside Yun Xiao’s body, leaving no trace or lingering aura to be perceived from the outside. In high spirits, Yun Xiao joked with his Sect Master and mentor.

”As your mentor, that’s not what I meant. How on earth did you escape this calamity?”

Indeed, in Yu Shu’s heart, this was Yun Xiao’s moment of crisis, a life-and-death ordeal. Yu Shu had been quite far from the Cold Jade Hall due to certain matters, and by the time he sensed the disturbance and rushed over, some time had already been spent.

For a young man only in the late stages of the Meridian Rushing Realm, even though Yu Shu was aware that Yun Xiao had many tricks up his sleeve, there would still be a limit. Against a cultivator in the Spirit Vein Realm, he likely wouldn’t last more than a few moves, right?

During the time Yu Shu hastened there, he thought that the invading enemy could have launched a dozen attacks already, and he truly feared that upon his return to the Cold Jade Hall, what he’d find would be Yun Xiao’s cold corpse.

However, Yu Shu was truly baffled by the situation before him. He was finding that this beloved disciple of his was harboring more and more secrets, making him quite unpredictable.

”Well... perhaps that old fellow sensed your presence, Teacher, and fled in a hurry before he had the chance to make a move against me!”

Naturally, Yun Xiao wouldn’t reveal the truth. There were some things that, even to this kind teacher who treated him well, needed to remain concealed. After all, those things were too mysterious for him, and avoiding trouble was preferable to inviting it.

With Yu Shu’s shrewdness, how could he believe Yun Xiao’s wild excuses? However, he didn’t press further. He knew that the lad had many secrets, and everyone had things they needed to keep to themselves. When Yun Xiao was ready to talk, he would speak up.

”I’m relieved that you’re safe!”

Yu Shu nodded then brought up another matter, asking, ”You just mentioned ’that old fellow.’ Do you recognize that person?”

Upon hearing Yu Shu’s question, Yun Xiao did not conceal anything and responded, ”Don’t get upset if I guess wrongly, but I believe that old fellow could be the Second Elder of the Jade Pot Sect: Fu Du.”

After speaking, Yun Xiao stared intently at Yu Shu, wanting to gauge the Sect Master’s reaction. He wanted to see whether Yu Shu would show unwavering trust in Fu Du or if his words would give rise to some doubts.

”Again with that old man, what on earth does he want to do?”

Just as Yun Xiao was pondering in his mind, Yu Shu clapped his hands together, the words he uttered brimming with an unusual anger. Moreover, the word ”again” was quite intriguing.

It seemed that in the heart of the Sect Leader, there was not an entirely unchecked guard against Fu Du, especially since a few days earlier, when the Great Elder reported to him about the incident on the ninth floor of the Jade Pot Cave, he had already suspected Fu Du of colluding with the Royal Family.

However, lacking concrete evidence and based solely on the words of Yun Xiao and the Great Elder, who habitually did not get along with the Poison Vein lineage, they were insufficient to convict Fu Du. Thus, Yu Shu had been biding his time.

But after tonight’s event, Yu Shu suddenly realized that if the man in black was indeed Fu Du, then the matter was serious. To dare intrude into the Cold Jade Hall of the Sect Leader and to harm the only direct disciple of the Sect Leader—wasn’t that fellow’s courage overly audacious?

Unfortunately, Yu Shu once again failed to catch the man in black and still lacked evidence to prove that it was Fu Du. All these were mere conjectures and one-sided claims.

Yun Xiao knew that to catch a thief one must seize the spoils, so he did not say much more. He believed that as long as the Sect Leader wasn’t wholly biased in favor of Fu Du, there would be room for the situation to change. Fu Du, traveling often on the path of wrongdoings, would eventually encounter trouble; sooner or later, he would show his true colors.

”As long as you are alright, then I’m relieved. However, it’s best not to go out for the time being to avoid being targeted by others!”

Yu Shu appeared to have other matters to attend to, and he also knew that after the failed attempt, the man in black would not dare to come to the Cold Jade Hall again anytime soon, for that would be tantamount to walking into a trap.

Until Yu Shu’s figure disappeared beyond the door, Yun Xiao finally closed it and spoke in his mind, ”This time, I have to thank you again!”

”Hmph, if it wasn’t for the Ancient Dragon Taming Technique, why would I save you time and again? If you die, I’m done for too. I’m just saving myself!”

Right after Yun Xiao finished speaking, he heard a cold snort within his heart. The words of the Golden Serpentine Creature sparked some unusual thoughts in him.

So, it seemed that the only reason the Golden Serpentine Creature was harbored within him was due to the Ancient Dragon Taming Technique. Otherwise, with its pride, how could it willingly stay inside a low-level cultivator’s body without any resistance?

”Anyway, I’ll keep this favor in my heart. But speaking of which, how come you came out on your own this time?”

Yun Xiao didn’t elaborate further. Knowing how to repay kindness was in his nature, and such matters needed action rather than words. However, as he continued, he remembered something and asked.

”With your frail body, after enduring my power just once, who knows how long it will take for you to recover? I don’t want it to be too much trouble!”

Upon hearing this, the Golden Serpentine Creature glanced disdainfully at Yun Xiao and spoke, its words making Yun Xiao rather embarrassed. But upon reflection, it was true; the last time he had borrowed the power of the Golden Serpentine Creature, he nearly burst his physical body, an experience excruciatingly painful.

However, despite the Golden Serpentine Creature’s cold remarks and disdain for Yun Xiao’s strength, he heard a hint of another emotion in its words.

It seemed that though the Golden Serpentine Creature spoke disparagingly, it was actually considering Yun Xiao’s well-being. Perhaps, as it said, they were now in a shared fate of misfortune and prosperity; if Yun Xiao were to die, it couldn’t possibly survive on its own. This was the main reason behind its actions.

Over the next half month, Yun Xiao heeded Yu Shu’s words, staying inside the Cold Jade Hall without stepping out, focusing on his cultivation. No one dared to bother him again.

However, one day, Yu Shu personally knocked on Yun Xiao’s door. When the latter opened the door, he found the Sect Leader holding something resembling a stiff piece of paper, looking at him with a smile.

”Yun Xiao, come with me to Baiyue City!”

Yu Shu was concise and clear, directly stating his purpose. But when Yun Xiao heard the words ”Baiyue City,” his heart stirred.

Seeing Yun Xiao’s puzzled look, Yu Shu lifted the stiff paper and chuckled, ”This is a royal invitation sent by the Royal Family to our Jade Pot Sect. In half a month’s time, it will be the King’s birthday celebration. Many prominent sects and clans of the Xuanyue Empire have received invitations, and naturally, our Jade Pot Sect is no exception.”

Hearing Yu Shu’s explanation, Yun Xiao immediately understood. But when he took the invitation from Yu Shu’s hand, his gaze sharpened because the words ”Jade Pot Sect’s Sect Leader’s Disciple” stood out glaringly.

Generally, for an event organized by a behemoth like the Xuanyue Royal Family, they would invite the leaders of major forces, especially since this was the birthday celebration of the contemporary King of Xuanyue.

It was said that the Xuanyue King had lived for nearly two hundred years, and with his lifespan nearing its end, each birthday was rarer and more grand than the last.

As a mere Inner Sect Disciple of the Jade Pot Sect, even though he was the Sect Leader’s direct disciple, Yun Xiao did not seem to have the qualifications to attend the Xuanyue King’s birthday banquet. And yet, his name was specifically mentioned on the invitation.

Even Yu Shu found it unbelievable when he received this invitation. Since when was his influence so great that even a new disciple he had just taken in could receive an invitation to the Xuanyue King’s birthday banquet?

However, since Yun Xiao was his disciple, receiving an invitation was naturally an occasion to show face. Hadn’t it, after the news spread, caused countless envious and jealous peers among the Inner Sect Disciples?

Mo Qing from the Medical Pulse lineage might be okay with it, but Yue Qi from the Poison Vein lineage felt extremely unfair about this. Whether it was Meridian Qi Cultivation or Meridian Refining Technique, even background and fame, he far surpassed Yun Xiao. Why should this newcomer who joined the Jade Pot Sect for less than a year receive a royal invitation?

Unable to fathom the reason, the perplexed Inner Sect Disciples eventually chalked it down to the status of ”the Sect Leader’s Direct Disciple.” After all, they could not think of any other reason why Yun Xiao deserved the invitation, and this was the only excuse that seemed plausible.

However, in Yun Xiao’s heart, the invitation sparked another thought. Those from the Royal Family tended to be haughty, and normally wouldn’t take notice of an Inner Sect Disciple from the Jade Pot Sect like himself.

Considering a possibility, Yun Xiao touched his Waist Storage and sensed the presence of a certain black object within it, lost in thought.

Just as Yun Xiao pondered, Yu Shu seemed to recall something. Seeing an unusual smile appear on his face, he spoke gravely, ”The Royal Family coveted our Jade Pot Sect’s Treasure. This time, I must have a proper talk with His Majesty the King.”

It seemed that despite the Xuanyue Empire’s might, Yu Shu was not one to be trifled with. Xuan Zhi and Yan Chun brazenly entered the ninth layer of the Jade Pot Cave and stole the Jade Pot Sect’s treasure, and he had always held a grudge over this matter.